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Knockout alignment device for electrical panel boxesRelated Patent Categories: Geometrical Instruments, Gauge, Collocating, AlignmentKnockout alignment device for electrical panel boxes description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050274033, Knockout alignment device for electrical panel boxes. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of a U.S. provisional patent application entitled "Knockout Alignment Device for Electrical Panel Boxes", which was filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Jun. 15, 2004 and assigned Ser. No. 60/579,253, the entire content of said application being incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to an alignment device for use in the construction industry. More specifically, the present invention relates to an alignment device for cutting knockout holes in electrical enclosures for conduit, such as the type used by electricians for carrying electrical wires. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] It is often necessary in the construction industry for electric wires to be carried within conduit, such as metal or plastic piping. Typically, holes are drilled into electrical enclosures by electricians to properly align the conduit before installing the conduit. These holes are commonly referred to as pilot holes. After drilling the pilot holes, the electrician uses a device known as a knockout hole cutter to precisely cut an entry or knockout hole through the surface of the electrical enclosure. [0004] The importance of properly aligned entry holes in electrical enclosures to an efficient electrical wiring job cannot be overstated. First of all, the electrician's job is made easier if the knockouts in any enclosure are aligned because this insures that the conduit may be bent without having to account for alignment errors in the bends of other conduit entering the same enclosure. Proper alignment helps prevent the several pieces of conduit that typically enter an enclosure from interfering with one another. [0005] The entry holes are usually measured to fractions of an inch and typically there are a number of holes in each enclosure; therefore, accurate and neat formation of the properly sized and number of entry holes can become complex and extremely time consuming. This is particularly the case if a large number and variety of sizes of conduit are required, and especially if holes of the same size are also required to permit exit of the same conduit through another surface of the same enclosure. For example, standard knockout hole kits may provide several size cutters ranging from three-quarters of an inch to one and one-half inch cutters. Other kits may include cutters for conduit sizes ranging from a half-inch to five inches. If several rows and columns of conduit with possibly various sizes are required, cutting the conduit entry holes becomes time consuming and tedious. Furthermore, errors often occur as a result of the existing method of aligning knockout hole cutters. Such errors result in duplication of effort as well as wasted material. [0006] Besides having to properly make alignment marks on the enclosure surface, the actual entry point may be misaligned if the pilot holes are not properly drilled. Since the conduit may measure several inches in diameter, the pilot holes made by drilling are typically a standard size. Knockout devices having alignment parts of various diameters are then used to cut the larger entry holes in the electrical enclosures. If the alignment part of the knockout device is misaligned, there is no way to easily correct such a mistake after the fact. Both the enclosures and the conduit are expensive and multiple mistakes reflect poorly on the electrician making such mistakes. [0007] There is a need for a device that reduces the tedium of aligning the knockout device, provides an alignment indicator with high visibility, and is easy to use. Also, because of the rugged construction environment, the device should be able to withstand abuse above and beyond normal wear and tear. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention solves the problem of properly aligning the alignment part of the knockout hole cutter with the alignment markings made on the electrical enclosure. The present invention provides an alignment sleeve with indicators which fits around the alignment part of the knockout hole cutter. The alignment sleeve indicators are preferably four extensions, configured similarly to the four points of a compass, that are aligned with the markings on the electrical enclosure. In addition, the indicators of the alignment sleeve are preferably flexible and are easily visible in low light conditions. [0009] The above features, and others, will be more evident in light of the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] The present invention will be more readily understood with reference to the embodiments thereof illustrated in the attached drawings, in which: [0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a conventional knockout hole cutter being used on an electrical enclosure; [0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional knockout hole cutter in position to begin cutting after being aligned with the alignment markings; [0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an alignment sleeve with indicators used in combination with a conventional knockout cutter according to an embodiment of the present invention; and [0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention showing the alignment of the alignment sleeve indicators with the electrical enclosure alignment markings. [0015] It is to be understood with respect to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention that like reference numbers refer to like parts and structures within the several drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS [0016] Existing knockout devices will be described with respect to FIG. 1. Knockout hole cutter 10 typically comprises three parts: a threaded connecting bolt or draw stud 12, an alignment part or die 14, and a cutter or punch 16. Threading connecting bolt 12 fits through alignment part 14 and screws into the threads of cutter 16. The alignment part 14 and cutter 16 are provided in a variety of sizes corresponding to the various sizes of conduit. Obviously, the alignment part 14 and the cutter 16 must correspond to the same size conduit to make the proper opening 110 for the conduit. Marking material 20 is used to visibly mark the notches 15 in the alignment part 14 so that the notches 15 will be highlighted. Typically, there are four notches 15 in the alignment part 14 and each is given a visible mark to insure accurate alignment. Marking material 20 may be a pencil, an ink pen, a marker, or the like, so long as the marking material 20 leaves a visible mark on the alignment part. [0017] The conventional method of using the knockout hole cutter 10 will now be described in detail. First, alignment markings 120 are made on the surface of the electrical enclosure 100. A pilot hole 130, as shown in FIG. 2, is drilled into the electrical enclosure 100, preferably centered between the alignment marks 120. The pilot hole 130 is smaller than the opening 1 10 required by the conduit entering the enclosure 100. However, the pilot hole 130 is usually made large enough to allow clearance for the threaded connecting bolt 12 to move laterally in any direction to compensate for any misalignment of the pilot hole 130 with the alignment marks 120. [0018] The threaded connecting bolt 12 is then inserted into the alignment part 14. The alignment part 14 is typically larger than the entry hole 110 needed for the conduit to fit into the enclosure. Marking material 20 is then used to visibly mark the notches 15 in the alignment part 14. The threaded connecting bolt 12 with the alignment part 14 is placed into the pilot hole (shown in FIG. 2 as 130) in the electrical enclosure 100 until stopped by the alignment part 14. Cutter 16 is then screwed onto the threaded connecting bolt 12 from inside the electrical enclosure 100. Continue reading about Knockout alignment device for electrical panel boxes... Full patent description for Knockout alignment device for electrical panel boxes Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Knockout alignment device for electrical panel boxes patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Knockout alignment device for electrical panel boxes or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Measurett n release Next Patent Application: Measuring instrument Industry Class: Geometrical instruments ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Knockout alignment device for electrical panel boxes patent info. 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